The Crown 4-day itinerary

Monday 11 November 2019

Fans of The Crown can live out their royal daydreams with this four-day itinerary, taking in both filming locations and classic royal hotspots. Inspired by the new series, which illuminates the lives of the British Royal Family in the 1960s and 70s and reveals Olivia Colman in the role of Queen Elizabeth for the first time, the tour will see Crown aficionados zipping around London and driving along quintessential country lanes, stopping at some of southern England’s historic highlights along the way.

Day 1: London

As the home of the British royal family, Britain’s capital is the perfect place to start this regal trip. From the gates of iconic palaces to Princess Margaret’s favourite haunts from the 1960s, London will immerse visitors in the world of royalty.

Explore the secrets of Buckingham Palace

Visitors can dive head-first into their Crown inspired adventure at the royal epicentre, Buckingham Palace. Soak up the grand atmosphere of this historic residence on a tour of some of its most beautiful rooms, including the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery, the Ballroom and the Grand Staircase. Tours are available from July to September, but selfies outside the gilt gates can be taken throughout the year.

Buckingham Palace also offers a wide range of lectures, talks and activities revealing the history of the royal family and art and culture through the ages, all held in the Queen’s Gallery.

Price: Entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms costs from £26.50 for adults and £14.50 for children under 17. A ‘Royal Day Out’ ticket, which allows entry to the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and The Queen's Gallery, costs from £49 for adults and £26.50 for children under 17. Children under five go free.

Eat near the Queen’s birthplace

Next stop is the Coach & Horses, Bruton Street – a real treat for those wanting to experience the atmosphere of a traditional British pub. Nestled in bustling Mayfair and dating back to the 18th century, it’s located on the very street where the Queen was born. One of the area’s oldest pubs, its narrow Tudor style exterior, classic pub food and wide range of ales make it a delicious stop-off for fans of The Crown and anglophiles seeking a true taste of British fare.

Prices: Main dishes from £9.99

Travel time: 25 minutes on foot

Be dazzled by the Crown Jewels

Aficionados of the series will no doubt have seen the iconic crown fill their screens countless times, but a trip to London gives visitors a chance to admire this mesmerising regalia up close. Held in the Jewel House within the historic Tower of London since the 14th century, the British Crown Jewels include more than 140 ceremonial objects used by the royal family. Encrusted with 2,800 diamonds, the crown worn by Her Majesty for her 1953 coronation, as dramatised in The Crown, is bound to leave visitors bedazzled.

Price: A visit to the Jewel House is included in the entrance fee to the Tower of London. Tickets cost from £24.70 for an adult and £11.70 for children. Family tickets are also available

Travel time: 30 minutes on the Underground

Party like Princess Margaret

Enjoy a taste of Princess Margaret’s lavish lifestyle in The Crown in an establishment visited by the fun-loving Princess herself. Little altered since Princess Margaret was known to enjoy their live music and cocktails, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club continues to welcome guests into the heart of the jazz world. Expect rich red carpets, dim table lamps and performances from some of the scene’s biggest names in addition to a dinner menu featuring caviar, lobster, risotto and steak. Served with the stage in-sight, diners will feel every inch the princess (or prince).

Prices: Mains start from £19.50. Tickets to performances at Ronnie Scott’s vary in price and can be booked online

Travel time: 30 minutes on the Underground

Dine in royal company

Looking for a culinary experience with the seal of royal approval? Look no further than Wilton’s in St James’s. Since beginning life as a humble oyster stand in 1742, it has been awarded six Royal Warrants and remains a firm favourite of the Royal family. One of the capital’s oldest restaurants, it’s renowned for its signature shellfish, smoked fish, and selection of delicately grilled meats.

Prices: Oysters start from £3 each. Prices for shellfish and meat dishes vary – please see the menu for further details

Travel time: 13 minutes on foot

Visitors seeking a right royal accommodation will find a range of options on VisitLondon

Day 2: London

Spend a second day in London exploring more royal history and exciting filming locations from The Crown

Take tea like a Queen

No royal trip to London would be complete without afternoon tea. One popular venue is Fortnum & Mason, a renowned establishment that has been serving the highest-quality tea since 1926. In 2012, in homage to her 60th year as ruling monarch, the department store welcomed her Royal Highness to open the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. A tearoom fit for royalty, it offers the ultimate afternoon tea experience. To truly feel like royalty, order Earl Grey with afternoon tea - it’s known to be the Queen’s favourite blend.

Price: Afternoon tea from £60 per person. A glass of Fortnum & Mason Champagne can be added for an additional £10.

Travel time: 17 minutes on the Underground

Discover the treasures of the Thames

Follow in the footsteps of favourite characters from The Crown at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Used to represent Buckingham Palace in the series, the building is a marvel of 18th century architecture situated along the River Thames. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1712, it’s the crowning gem of Maritime Greenwich, an 18-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site that also features a beautifully decorated chapel, Victorian skittle alley and unmissable grounds to explore

Although not seen in the series, the Old Royal Naval College boasts the largest painted hall in Europe. Known as ‘Britain’s Sistine Chapel’, this 300-year-old landmark recently underwent an £8.5 million restoration, so there has never been a better time to visit.

Close by, visitors can also explore The Queen’s House. Dating back to the 1600s, it was designed by Inigo Jones and built bas an apology gift for King James I’s wife, Anne of Denmark, after he allegedly swore at her for killing one of his beloved dogs on a hunting expedition.

Prices: A ticket to the Old Royal naval College is £12 for adults, children under 16 go free with an accompanying adult

Travel time: 35 minutes on the London Underground

Set sail on the Cutty Sark

Visitors looking for a taste of maritime heritage along with their royal history can find it just a few steps away at the Cutty Sark. The ship has been visited numerous times by Queen Elizabeth II along with her husband, Prince Philip. Visitors can swing by for a taste of British’s marine history and even celebrate the vessel’s 150th birthday, with a range of activities from 22-24 November 2019.

Price: From £13.50 for adults and £6.75 for children over four. Children under four go free.

Travel time: Five minutes on foot

Wine and dine like Princess Margaret

For a slice of princess-worthy romance, visitors can enjoy dinner in a candlelit restaurant once loved by Princess Margaret. Re-named Maggie Jones, reportedly in homage to the royal’s preferred alias, this charming Kensington eatery offers traditional dishes in a rustic atmosphere. Complete with wicker baskets and hanging hops, it’s perfect for a romantic evening of hearty food and English charm.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment

The Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End will be instantly recognisable to lovers of The Crown. Used as the dramatic backdrop for the Royal Gala attended by Queen Elizabeth (Claire Foy) and Prince Philip (Matt Smith), today guests can get dressed up to the nines and enjoy their own evening to remember at the theatre, which is home to the much-loved musical, The Lion King.

Price: Tickets to The Lion King start from £20 – see online for details

Travel time: Thirty minutes on the Underground

Day 3: Hertfordshire

On the third and fourth day of their trip, visitors can travel in style and rent a classic car with royal history or a vehicle from their favourite Crown era. From Aston Martin to Rolls Royce, renting a classic car is sure to add regal flare to their royal adventure.

Explore a grand piece of history

Retrace the steps of the formidable Queen Mary (Eileen Atkins) on a wander around Hatfield House. The impressive Long Gallery featured in The Crown as the hall walked by Queen Mary on her way to see The Duke of Windsor. Built in the 1600s, the house offers an insight into an extravagant era of British history. With exquisite examples of Jacobean craftsmanship throughout, it was here, in the Old Palace in 1558, that Elizabeth I was told she would ascend the throne – just another reason why the house is a must-see for history buffs.

Price: Re-opening 4 April 2020, entry to the house costs from £19 for adults and £9 for children

Price: Price from £30 for a ‘have-a-go’ clay pigeon shooting experience to £70 for an hour-long individual lesson

Travel Time: 25 minutes by car

Indulge in award-winning cuisine

Dine in luxurious country style at St Michael’s Manor Hotel. With views across the five-acre grounds and the tranquil lake, the hotel’s orangery–inspired Lake Restaurant serves British cuisine with a modern twist, with dishes including fillet of beef, torched halibut or cauliflower and broccoli fritters.

Price: A two-course lunch costs from £20, or £24 for three courses.

Travel time: 25 minutes by car

Step into a treasure trove of history

Fans can see the very spot where Prince Philip (Matt Smith) and Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) shared a private conversation in The Crown, on Knebworth House’s romantic wooden stairwell. The house itself casts a magnifying glass over 500 years of British history and culture, and entry includes an in-depth guided tour.

Prices: Opening March – September 2020, prices from £14 for adults and £13.50 for children for entry to the house and tour

Travel time: 30 minutes by car

Dine in a cosy country pub

Offering an eclectic menu of traditional dishes and tasty modern recipes, The Lytton Arms is a friendly public house, with local bar staff ready to chat and fill hungry bellies with warming food. With a daily menu served until 9.30pm, guests can enjoy the cosy log-burner whilst sipping on a local craft beer – a glorious way to end the day!

Day 4: Cambridgeshire

Visit one of Britain’s most picturesque cities, Cambridge, as well as one of The Crown’s most breathtaking filming locations.

Explore the setting of weddings and coronations

Used as the backdrop for the pivotal scenes in which Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip get married, as well as the monarch’s famous televised coronation, Ely Cathedral is a must-see for any Crown fan. Built in 1083, the Cathedral is as an outstanding example of medieval monastic architecture. Explore the impressive nave, the Lady Chapel, enjoy a guided tour inside the Octagon church tower and listen to the resident choristers, a tradition since the 16th century.

Price: Tickets from £9 for adults or £13 for entry plus a ticket for the Stained Glass Museum

Travel time: 90 minutes by car

Taste local flavours

Enjoy delightful dining at the Poets House Hotel and Restaurant. Located just five minutes from Ely Cathedral by car, the restaurant’s menu uses seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients to create delicious dishes such as charred lamb cutlets, fillet of salmon and cod loin.

Price: Mains start from £13

Travel time: Five minutes from Ely Cathedral by car

Discover Cambridge’s royal heritage

Just 40 minutes away by car lies the university city of Cambridge, chock full of epic history, remarkable architecture and winding cobbled streets. Adventurers can explore the grounds of the famous University - the alma mater of the Prince of Wales, hire a boat and enjoy a punt along the River Cam, or simply do a spot of sightseeing before wending their way back to London.